YOU'RE fantastic! That's the message to Daily Echo readers from the family of Sophie Sivess, the four-year-old who is now on the way to getting a new prosthetic foot.

The four-year-old from Ferndown was presented with more than £2,000 from the Daily Echo's Walking for Sophie campaign on Saturday.

The money was handed over as Sophie went to watch Sandra Gleeson and Glyn Foulger walking 26 miles in her honour.

The youngster had to have one foot and the toes on the other foot amputated after she contracted blood poisoning through a chickenpox spot. She has since suffered a fractured femur because her bones are so weak and could be out of action for as long as a year.

Her devastated family say her NHS prosthesis is no better than a wooden leg and they want to give Sophie cosmetic surgery to reconstruct her toes and a prosthetic leg that looks and feels real.

But the ramifications of Sophie's father Darren having to virtually give up work while she was poorly have been great and they have been left unable to afford all the equipment she needs.

Their story inspired Sandra, the receptionist at her doctor's surgery, and her neighbour Glyn to take on the marathon fundraiser in which they triumphed at in Ferndown on Saturday.

And they've raised more than £2,000 from the walk alone, bringing the total so far to nearly £5,000 - enough to fund the cosmetic surgery.

Echo readers have written in their hundreds, pledging support and giving words of encouragement to the family.

Sophie's mum Elly said they plan to use the money raised to buy Sophie new toes straight away.

She said: "It's fantastic. Sophie wants what she had before - what they took away. She wants me to be able to paint her toenails like I do for her sister Francesca.

"We are very touched by how generous everyone has been.

"As soon as her leg has healed we can start to think about a new prosthesis but we still need more money for that.

"I feel very humbled by what Sandra and Glyn have done for us too. They are very special ladies."

Sandra said yesterday, the day after the walk: "The legs are a bit sore but it was well worth it.

"Our local postmen are planning to do a run in November.

"It's fantastic how people have been rallying to help Sophie and it restores your faith in the human race."

To help fund equipment to make life more normal for this little girl send cheques made payable to Walking for Sophie to: Daily Echo, Mill Court, Mill Lane, Wimborne, BH21 1JQ.

First published: Sept 27